GARETH Barry believes Villa head into tomorrow's Premiership opener ready to be judged.

Villa's trademark over the past 12 months has been their inconsistency but Barry says they are determined to change that this term.

He said: "You get judged on the real results, not the friendlies.

"We've had a few preseason defeats against lesser opposition before but Bolton is the one we're going to be judged on and we'll be ready.

"Last season was very up and down and 10th was probably about right in the end so we'll be looking to improve on that. I suppose two more wins last year and we'd have been seventh or eighth. This year we'll aim for top eight."

Barry says Villa are well prepared for Bolton's upandat-'em style.

"Everybody's worked hard towards the first game and, if the result goes right, it can set the tempo for the rest of the season.

"It's quite a tough start - look how well Bolton did last year.

"Then Man United away is no easy feat, but if the first game goes well, we'll be travelling to Old Trafford with a bit of confidence and anything can happen.

"We've been working all week on their style of play, because it's well publicised that they do play a different style of football to most Premiership teams."